Ulster U18 Women Inter-provincial Squad announced

The Ulster U18 Women’s Squad for the upcoming Inter-provincial series has been announced. Ulster U18’s are the Inter-provincial defending champions having completed the Grand Slam in the competitions inaugural season last year.

The squad see’s eleven players return from last seasons invincibles and there are eight clubs recognised in the selection. However it is a big shout out for the fine work carried out at Virginia RFC who have supplied 10 players to the squad.

The Ulster U18 squad have continued their fine run during this season’s development phase with wins over Canadian side New Brunswick Select and Scottish side Sterling County and, as U18 Team Mangaer Jemma Jackson tells the Front Row Union, below, the teams unbeaten run brings it’s own pressure for this season’s players.

It’s been very encouraging to see such competition for places in this season’s squad. Fifteen year old Mya Alcorn has been particularly impressive as have Lucy Turkington and Holly Brannigan, Brannigan only recently concentrating on rugby after a successful Athletics career.

There is an impressive front row of Emma Kearney, Tammy Millar and Grace Shrestha retained from last year but youngsters Ava Fannin and Ella Garland will be snapping at their heels, eager for game time.

We caught up with Fannin during our recent trip to Virginia RFC where she told the Front Row Union:

“We’re getting on really well as a squad. All the girls have got to know each other. It’s good to get to know who the players are at the other clubs and they all bring different styles of play.

It’s up to us to keep the winning streak going and all the other Provinces will be.all out to beat us but it’s great that the first game will be here at Virginia, there should be a big crowd.”

The players can be viewed in the gallery below. Their details and this season’s fixtures are at the bottom of the page.